The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1887-01-28

There IS no subject OF greater moment
to every patriot and well-wishor Of bis
country than the maintenance intact Of
the principles of constitutional liberty
and personal freedom as promulgated
in the Declaration Of Independence and
the constitution Of the United States.
The full and unobstructed enforcement
Of these fundamental principles of po-
litical action makes the people Of the
United States the most powerful nation
on the globe. But it is q matter Of
regret, oogniEant 20 every observant
citizen, that there ia very prevalent
spirit throughout the land among ell
classes TO disregard these primal rules
Of political conduct. In this light We
are to be regarded as q nation weak
from dangers within and hence not for
midaole to the menaces Of foreign ma
tions. 1t behooves every citizen who
loves his country TO diligently search
into the cause of this dangerous condi-
tion Of public feeling, and, when found,
to labor earnestly to remedy the evil.
The fact is indisputable that there Is
great lack of patriotic purpose and SEN
timent among the people, not confined
to any locality but rami6es ell political
parties throughout the land. Men do
not universally love their country with
that patriotiS unssl6shness that prevail
ei in the early years of the republic.
There is q looseness pervading every
community in regard to the due and
proper enforcement OF municipal law.
There is dangerous tendency to violate
laws that do not meet orr approval, and
there is an alarming disposition among
officials upon whom devolve the duty
Of enforcing the Law, TO connivs at these
violations of Law. 4 feeling Of unrest
and antagonism to constituted authority
is manifest all aroLnd us. A feeling
Of Gistrust exists between the employer
and employe. The farmer fears aud
regards with suspicion every movement
Of the business man. Aad the business
man distrusts the farmer. There is
wide breach in the confidence that
should exist between labor and capital.
And what is the cause of this lament
able condition of things ? There is .
variety Of causes. From the foundation
of the government to the present, day
by day, our people have been educated
to believe that We are the freest people
on earth. So eKtTAvagaEt have dema-
goguss made this teaching that manv
feel that they are scarcely under any
legal restraint whatever. Personal
freedom has been and is the boast Of
every American citizsp. This is cAr-
ried to tho extent Of unbridled license,
thus bringing one citizen in conflict
with another continually. We have
made the sad mistake Of not incuIcating
the one universal lesson that obedience
to law and "tbe powers that be" is the
only safeguard TO any people, whether in
times of depression, disquiet or discon.
tent, or when peace and prosperity
prevail.
Capital and capitalists have taken ad-
vantage Of this laxness of feeling with
reference to obedience TO Law and have
built up a monied aristocracy that
thrsstens to subvert the government
itself. When we look about and see
the power welded by these monied cor
porations we need no longer wonder
that unrest and disquiet prevail to such
an alarming extent. To escape the
evil consequences likely to result from
such state Of feeling and thus perpes-
uate the principles Of constitutional
liberty should be the firm and ardent
purpose of every lover of his country.
The great lack Of moral force among
the people must be supplied. This can
only be done by score of years dsvot-
cd to the education of generation who
can thus be brought to venerate their
country with that unAlloyed patriotism
that sustained our forefathsrs in their
long and fierce contest for liberty.
Truth, honesty, personal integrity, fair
dealing, must be the watchwo:d of the
day. These virtues should be taught
to the young and rising generation at
all proper times and under all proper
circumstances. They should be leading
themes in the daily routine work in the
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